Comparison

BuddySOS vs Find My Friends

Find My (formerly Find My Friends) only shares location between iPhones. BuddySOS shares live location across iPhone and Android in the same group, and its SOS button texts your emergency contacts. They do not need the app installed.

Short answer

Which one should I use?

Pick BuddySOS if your group mixes iPhone and Android: Find My Friends only shares location between iPhones. BuddySOS works on both platforms, adds a free SOS button that texts your emergency contacts, and never stores your location history.

FeatureBuddySOSFind My Friends
Works across iPhone and AndroidYes, one app for everyoneNo, iPhone only
One-tap SOS alert to your groupFree, live GPS to every memberNot available
SMS to emergency contactsFreeNot available
Arrival / departure zone alertsFree, 1 per group, up to 5Yes, per-person only
CostFreeFree (built into iOS)
Verdict

Bottom line

Find My Friends works fine if your whole group is on iPhone and you never need a fast way to alert everyone. The moment one person is on Android, or you want a free SOS button that texts your emergency contacts, BuddySOS is the pick.

One app, both platforms. No location history. Ever.

Free on iOS and Android. No subscription. Your location reaches your group and nowhere else, and we keep no record of where you've been.

Download BuddySOS